Central South Island News
Graeme Hughes, Fish and Game Officer.

Rainfall required.
The Central South Island Region is dry. With no significant rainfall and now coming into the traditional dry months small rivers are becoming smaller and resident trout are becoming very aware as their habitat decreases in area. Ashburton, Hinds Rangitata Opihi Pareora, Waihao, Hakataramea Maerewhenua, Kakanui Rivers and the  Maryburn have irrigation restrictions in place. Despite this continual decline in flows resident trout are providing anglers with opportunities although some finesse in technique is required to be successful.

Waitaki Lakes reliable providers.
Lake Benmore, Ahuriri Arm,  and Lake Waitaki have been outstanding. Catches of rainbow and brown trout between 1.0 and 2.0kg are common with Chinook salmon adding variety to the anglers bag. The salmon appear to be in two year classes with older fish attaining weights of 1.5 kg.

In the Haldon Arm of Lake Benmore  trout with high condition factors have been reported. The Haldon Arm “regulars” believe the progeny of the many sockeye salmon which have spawned in the waters of Lower Ohau , Twizel and Tekapo River to be responsible for this increase in production.

Didymo unstoppable.
Didymo is now established in the lower Hakataramea River. Found here in November this is not surprising being a tributary of the affected Waitaki River, what is surprising is how long it took to get there. In December didymo was found in the  Rangitata Diversion Race however this infestation was inevitable with didymo in the Rangitata River above the RDR intake.

Salmon runs begin.
Salmon have been migrating into the Rangitata River and have been caught in low numbers at the mouth and now throughout the river to the gorge. The largest officially recorded salmon weighed 11.2 kg however it is rumoured that a 12.7 fish has been landed. To date the Waitaki River salmon have not appeared or more accurately have not been caught as yet. Historically the first Waitaki fish appear in the anglers bag in the Christmas to New Year period.

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